The constrained conditions are expected to continue tomorrow, particularly between 5:30pm and 6:30pm.
If the demand does not decrease this could result in Eskom invoking its emergency protocols and implementing rotational load reduction.
Although Eskom has adequate generating capacity to meet the demand during the day, the challenge is over the short sharp evening peak – particularly between 5:30pm and 6:30pm – when electricity demand increase up to 36 000 MW.
The increase is predominantly due to the use of space heating, geysers and cooking that takes place during this time.
Eskom calls on all consumers to delay the usage of heaters and to switch off geysers, pool pumps and all non-essential appliances as the risk of load reduction is high during this period.
It remains important for all customers to ‘Beat the Peak’ from 5pm to 9pm this winter, by maintaining or achieving 10% electricity savings especially in the commercial and residential sectors.
Commercial customers, particularly shopping centres and office blocks, can make the biggest difference by switching off non-essential lights and not to leave office equipment such as photocopiers and computers in standby mode after hours.
Eskom will utilise all necessary emergency resources at its disposal to keep the lights on, but should the demand not decrease, load reduction will be implemented as a measure of last resort to protect the national grid from a total shutdown.
Meanwhile, the talk of ‘load-shedding’ is still unclear.
In Soweto, community members raised concerns that the switching off of electricity without being informed was disrespectful.
This follows prostestations and closing of streets in Mofolo on Monday.
As a result the MEC for Human Settlement Jacob Mamabolo, had to intervene and condone the act by Eskom.
